Mindful Travel: Sustainability and Impact
At UW Alumni Tours, we recognize that travel—when done carelessly—can place undue stress on vulnerable communities and fragile ecosystems. That’s why we’re committed to partnering with tour operators who share our values of connection, discovery, and responsibility.
Together, we prioritize sustainability through:
Local Partnerships
We work with expert local guides and community-based partners to ensure that the places we visit benefit directly from our presence.
Small Group Travel
Our tours are intentionally designed for small groups, helping to reduce environmental impact and foster deeper, more meaningful experiences.
Waste Reduction
We minimize or eliminate single-use plastics and paper waste throughout our journeys.
Orbridge Destination Specialists understand and appreciate the environmental impact a travel company (and its marketing efforts) have and are committed to the global responsibility to help minimize their footprint. Learn more about Orbridge’s campaign to “Go Beyond Green” — including planting 100,000 trees, provide refillable water canteens, and partnering with operators that uphold sustainability principles, preservation efforts and social welfare support — on the Orbridge website.
Odysseys Unlimited supports local communities through philanthropic gifts, by selecting partners and accommodations that power local economies, and by providing tips for travelers on sustainable travel. With small groups of no more than 24 guests, Odysseys Unlimited tries to limit environmental impacts and keep the focus on conservation, cultural heritage, and mindful travel.
Oceania Cruises: From eliminating millions of single-use plastic bottles from onboard use to working to preserve endangered species and promoting biodiversity, Oceania Cruises is on a mission to continually improve their sustainability culture. Read more.
AHI Travel: AHI’s Sustainability Promise outlines their commitment to making a positive, purposeful impact in the communities they visit. AHI Travel:
- Prioritizes making thoughtful choices to minimize their environmental footprint, for example seeking out eco-friendly transportation, guided walks in lieu of bus tours and encouraging less plastic and paper waste.
- Supports ongoing initiatives to encourage local businesses that employ and benefit people in the community. AHI also curates meaningful experiences by staying in intimately sized locales instead of cities affected by overtourism.
- Emphasizes community-based tourism, using expert local guides and lecturers and program scheduling during quieter, “shoulder seasons.”
When you book a tour with UW Alumni Tours, you can be confident that our tour partners are going above and beyond to make sure your visit is a positive one, both for you and the communities who are sharing their world with you.